Apparatus and method for remote control in portable communication system

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to an application entitled “Apparatus And Method For Remote Control In Portable Communication System” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 26, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-133966, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method for performing a remote control using a portable terminal, and in particular, to an apparatus and a method for performing an authentication process with a remote-controlled terminal using a portable terminal and a message including authentication information in order to enable a remote control.

2. Description of the Related Art

Portable terminals have recently become necessities by people of all ages. Also, service providers and portable terminal manufacturers have competitively developed products or services which are different from other enterprises.

For example, portable terminals have developed into multimedia devices which provide various services including phonebook, games, short message service, e-mail, morning or wake-up call, Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Layer 3 (MP3), schedule management function, digital camera and wireless Internet services.

The above-mentioned functions enable a user of the portable terminal to directly manipulate functions of the portable terminal through a keypad. In other words, if the user of the portable terminal desires to power down the portable terminal, the user must directly select and execute an “End” key button on the keypad of the portable terminal.

However, the user of the portable terminal may not always carry the portable terminal. For example, if the portable terminal is left alone for a long time, a caller may not be able to communicate with the user of the portable terminal on urgent business.

Accordingly, there is required an apparatus and a method for remote-controlling a portable terminal which is not carried by a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to substantially solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for using a remote control function in a portable communication system.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for generating or reading a message necessary for a remote control in a remote-controlling terminal in order to use a remote control function in a portable communication system.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for generating or reading a message necessary for a remote control in a remote-controlled terminal in order to use a remote control function in a portable communication system.

The above aspects are achieved by providing a point-to-point emulation apparatus and method in a broadband wireless communication system.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable communication system enabling a remote control, including a remote-controlling terminal which is connected to a remote-controlled terminal using a message necessary for a remote control function to perform the remote control function; and the remote-controlled terminal which is connected to the remote-controlling terminal and performs an operation according to a request of the remote-controlling terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of performing a remote control request in a portable terminal, including if a performance of a remote control function is requested, generating a remote control request message for requesting the remote control function of a remote-controlled terminal and transmitting the remote control request message to the remote-controlled terminal; and if a response message to the remote control request message is received from the remote-controlled terminal, generating a remote control message including a remote control command to perform the remote control function and transmitting the remote control message to the remote-controlled terminal.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of performing a remote control function in a remote-controlled terminal, which has received a remote control request message, including if the remote control request message is received from a remote-controlling terminal, reading the remote control request message to check a remote control item the remote-controlling terminal desires to control; checking a setup state of the checked remote control item to generate a response message to the remote control request message and transmitting the response message to the remote-controlling terminal; and if a remote control message is received from the remote-controlling terminal, checking a remote control command included in the remote control message to perform an operation corresponding to the remote control command.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram of a portable terminal providing a remote control function according to the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart of a process of performing a remote control function in a portable terminal according to the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart of a process of performing a remote control function in a remote-controlled terminal according to the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart of a remote control system according to the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart of a remote control system according to the present invention; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A and 6B</figref> illustrate screens of a portable terminal performing a remote control function according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for enabling a remote control in a portable communication system.

The apparatus preferably includes a remote-controlling terminal which transmits and/or receives a message and a remote-controlled terminal. The remote-controlling terminal and the remote-controlled terminal may have the same structure.

Also, the message may include a Short Message Service (SMS) message, an e-mail, a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, etc.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram of a portable terminal providing a remote control function according to the present invention. Hereinafter, examples of the portable terminal may include portable communication terminals such as a cellular phone, a Personal Communication System (PCS) terminal, a Personal Data Assistant (PDA), an International Mobile Telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) terminal, and a fourth generation (4G) broadband system. Also, the portable terminal will be described with general structures of the above-mentioned examples.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the portable terminal includes a controller <b>100</b>, a message manager <b>102</b>, a memory unit <b>104</b>, an input unit <b>106</b>, a display <b>108</b>, and a communicator <b>110</b>.

The controller <b>100</b> controls an overall operation of the portable terminal. For example, the controller <b>100</b> performs processing and controlling for voice and data communications. According to the present invention, besides the normal processing and controlling function, if execution of a remote control function is requested, the controller <b>100</b> may instruct the message manager <b>102</b> to generate a message to be transmitted to a portable terminal, which is to be remote-controlled, i.e., a remote-controlled terminal, and read a message received from the remote-controlled terminal.

The controller <b>100</b> also performs an operation corresponding to a remote control command which is checked through reading of the message manager <b>102</b>.

The message manager <b>102</b> is instructed by the controller <b>100</b> to generate the message to be transmitted to the remote-controlled terminal, read the message received from the remote-controlled terminal, and provide the read message to the controller <b>100</b>.

The memory unit <b>104</b> includes a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a flash ROM. The ROM stores micro-codes of a program for processing and controlling operations of the controller <b>100</b> and the message manager <b>102</b> and various types of reference data.

The RAM is a working memory of the controller <b>100</b> and stores temporary data which is generated during execution of various programs. The flash ROM stores various updatable types of storage data including a phonebook, a transmitted message, a received message, etc.

The input unit <b>106</b> includes a plurality of function keys including numerical key buttons from “0” to “9,” a menu button, a cancel (delete) button, a confirm button, a talk button, an end button, an Internet access button, navigation key (or direction key) buttons, character input key buttons, etc. The input unit <b>106</b> also provides the controller <b>100</b> with key input data (e.g., a request for an execution of a remote control function) corresponding to a key pressed by a user.

The display <b>108</b> displays state information, limited numeral characters, a plurality of moving pictures, a plurality of still pictures, etc. which are generated during the operation of the portable terminal. The display <b>108</b> may be a color liquid crystal display (LCD).

The communicator <b>110</b> transmits and/or receives a radio frequency (RF) signal of data which is input and output through an antenna (not shown). For example, if the communicator <b>110</b> transmits the RF signal, the communicator <b>110</b> performs channel coding and spreading on data to be transmitted and up converts the RF signal in order to transmit the data. If the communicator <b>110</b> receives the RF signal, the communicator <b>110</b> transforms the RF signal into a baseband signal and performs de-spreading and channel decoding on the baseband signal in order to recover the data.

The controller <b>100</b> may operate as the message manager <b>102</b>. However, in the present invention, the controller <b>100</b> and the message manager <b>102</b> are separately illustrated so as to separately describe their functions. Thus, if the portable terminal is substantially realized, the controller <b>100</b> may also process the function of the message manager <b>102</b>.

An apparatus of the portable terminal enabling a remote control function has been described. A method of generating a message for using a remote control function to perform the remote control function using the apparatus will now be described.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart of a process of performing a remote control function in a portable terminal according to the present invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A and 6B</figref> illustrate a screen of a portable terminal performing a remote control function according to the present invention.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, in step <b>201</b>, the controller <b>100</b> of the portable terminal determines whether an event for controlling a remote-controlled terminal has occurred by a user. If it is determined in step <b>201</b> that the event has not occurred, the controller <b>100</b> goes to step <b>215</b> to perform a corresponding function, e.g., a standby mode.

If it is determined in step <b>201</b> that the event has occurred, the controller <b>100</b> proceeds to step <b>203</b> to instruct the message manager <b>102</b> to generate a remote control request message.

Here, the remote control request message may be a message for requesting the remote control function of the remote-controlled terminal and includes information of the remote-controlled terminal, authentication information necessary for performing an authentication process with the remote-controlled terminal, and at least one item necessary for inputting a remote control command to control the remote-controlled terminal.

For example, if the user of the portable terminal desires to control setup states of a key lock and an alarm of the remote-controlled terminal, the message manager <b>102</b> may generate the remote control request message through inputs as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref>.

In step <b>205</b>, the controller <b>100</b> transmits the remote control request message to the remote-controlled terminal. In step <b>207</b>, the controller <b>100</b> determines whether a response message to the remote control request message has been received from the remote-controlled terminal.

If it is determined in step <b>207</b> that the response message has not been received from the remote-controlled terminal, the controller <b>100</b> re-performs step <b>207</b>.

If it is determined in step <b>207</b> that the response message has been received from the remote-controlled terminal, the controller <b>100</b> proceeds to step <b>209</b> to instruct the message manager <b>102</b> so as to read the response message. The controller <b>100</b> outputs the response message read by the message manager <b>102</b> to the display <b>108</b>.

Here, the response message output from the controller <b>100</b> may include information indicating a setup state of a function the portable terminal desires to control. The response message may also include a result of the authentication process which is performed between the portable terminal and the remote-controlled terminal.

For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref>, the response message may include information <b>611</b> indicating whether authentication has been successfully performed, a state <b>613</b> of a remote-controlled terminal, a method <b>615</b> of remote-controlling the remote-controlled terminal, etc.

In other words, the key lock of the remote-controlled terminal is unlocked, and the alarm is disabled.

The method <b>615</b> sets the key lock and includes an order of requesting the remote control function. In other words, “1358”, a method of setting the key lock, enumerates an order (e.g., “1”) of requesting the remote control function and a method (e.g., “358”) of setting the key lock.

The portable terminal may use a message including a remote control command “358,” which to enable the key lock, so as to set the key lock.

In step <b>211</b>, the controller <b>100</b> instructs the message manager <b>102</b> to generate a remote control message. Here, the remote control message refers to a message which includes a remote control command used by the user of the portable terminal to control the remote-controlled terminal.

In step <b>213</b>, the controller <b>100</b> transmits the remote control message to the remote-controlled terminal and then ends the present process.

It has been described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> that the remote-controlled terminal receives the remote control request message from the portable terminal capable of transmitting and/or receiving a message. However, the remote control function may be performed in a portable terminal which enables only voice communications.

A remote control method using the portable terminal enabling only the voice communications will be described in detail later with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart of a process of performing a remote control function in a remote-controlled terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, in step <b>301</b>, the remote-controlled terminal determines whether a remote control request message has been received. If it is determined in step <b>301</b> that the remote control request message has not been received, the remote-controlled terminal goes to step <b>317</b> to perform a corresponding function, e.g., a standby mode.

If it is determined in step <b>301</b> that the remote control request message has been received, the remote-controlled terminal proceeds to step <b>303</b> to read the remote control request message. In step <b>305</b>, the remote-controlled terminal checks a setup state of a function a transmitting portable terminal desires to control, wherein the transmitting portable terminal has transmitted the remote control request message.

Here, step <b>303</b> includes a sub-step of checking authentication information included in the remote control request message and a sub-step of reading an item the transmitting portable terminal desires to control.

In step <b>307</b>, the remote-controlled terminal generates a response message to the remote control request message and transmits the response message to the transmitting portable terminal which has transmitted the remote control request message.

In step <b>309</b>, the remote-controlled terminal determines whether a remote control message has been received from the transmitting portable terminal which has transmitted the remote control request message. Here, the remote control message is a message which includes a remote control command to the transmitting portable terminal to control the remote-controlled terminal.

If it is determined in step <b>309</b> that the remote control message has not been received from the transmitting portable terminal, the remote-controlled terminal re-performs step <b>309</b>.

If it is determined in step <b>309</b> that the message has been received, the remote-controlled terminal proceeds to step <b>311</b> to read the remote control message so as to check the remote control command included in the remote control message. In step <b>313</b>, the remote-controlled terminal performs an operation corresponding to the checked remote control command.

In step <b>315</b>, the remote-controlled terminal transmits to the transmitting portable terminal a message for reporting a result of the performance of the operation corresponding to the remote control command. The remote-controlled terminal ends the present process.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart of a remote control system according to the present invention.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the remote control system includes a remote-controlling terminal <b>403</b> and a remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b>. The remote-controlling terminal <b>403</b> refers to a communication terminal which is capable of transmitting and/or receiving a message, e.g., a Short Message Service (SMS) message, a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, etc.

In step <b>405</b>, the remote-controlling terminal <b>403</b>, which desires to perform a remote control, generates a remote control request message. In step <b>407</b>, the remote-controlling terminal <b>403</b> transmits the remote control request message to the remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b>.

In step <b>409</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b> generates a response message to the remote control message and transmits the response message to the remote-controlling terminal <b>403</b>.

In step <b>411</b>, the remote-controlling terminal <b>403</b> generates a remote control message, and in step <b>413</b> transmits the remote control message to the remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b>. Here, the remote control message includes a remote control command necessary for controlling the remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b>.

In step <b>415</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b> reads the remote control message to check the remote control command. In step <b>417</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b> performs an operation corresponding to the remote control command.

In step <b>419</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>400</b> transmits a message for reporting a result of the performance of the operation to the remote-controlling terminal <b>403</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart of a remote control system according to the present invention.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the remote control system includes a remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> and a remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b>. The remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> refers to a communication terminal capable of performing only voice communications.

In step <b>505</b>, the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> requests a call connection of the remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b> in order to perform a remote control function.

In step <b>507</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b> operates a speech recognizer. In step <b>509</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b> requests user information of the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> to check whether the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> is allowed to use the remote control function.

In step <b>511</b>, the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> transmits the user information, i.e., a voice input of a user, to the remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b>.

For example, if the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> requests a remote control of the remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b> performs an answer back function to request authentication information of the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> using, for example, an “Input Authentication Information” message.

The remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> inputs a message for performing an authentication process to perform the authentication process.

In step <b>513</b>, the terminal <b>501</b> checks the user information of the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> to determine whether the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> is allowed to perform the remote control function. If the remote-controlling terminal <b>503</b> is allowed to perform the remote control function, in step <b>515</b>, the remote-controlled terminal <b>501</b> operates a remote control mode.

In accordance with the present invention as described above, a remote-controlling terminal can be connected to a remote-controlled terminal using a message function so as to control the remote-controlled terminal.

Also, a remote control function can be performed using a message which is transmitted and received between the remote-controlled terminal and the remote-controlling terminal. As a result, the remote control function can be applied to standard terminals and other types of terminals.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.